Club Med Insider

A Week in Paradise

A pause for an unusual family portrait.

Monday morning at Miami International Airport. It doesn't feel like an ordinary Monday. It is February second and vacation is just starting. My wife and I have been waiting for this trip to the Caribbean for six months. We can't wait to arrive in Punta Cana and take our one year-old son Kevin to the beach for the first time in his life. We board the plane and take-off. After a pleasant hour and a half flight, the pilot announces we are about to land in the Dominican Republic. We put our seats in the upright position and hold Kevin. Touchdown. We leave the plane with Kevin on our arms and quickly go through immigration. We are greeted by a local group playing traditional music. A porter helps us with the luggage and we feel very lucky to see our bags arrive so promptly. We ask for a taxi and head to Club Med Punta Cana.

It is almost five in the afternoon. We check-in and rush to our room to change clothes quickly and go to the beach. Walking barefoot in the sand feels like paradise. Our son, wearing his little surfer outfit, is also very excited. He walks, smiles, his hands touch the sand, hum, that feels and tastes different. I have to take him to the water to wash his hands. Kevin and the ocean, love at first sight. People are leaving the beach to get ready for dinner as we enjoy this precious moment together as a family.

What a gift is what we think when we enter the Samana restaurant. Its upscale atmosphere and friendly staff make us feel special. We look around our table and see many other families with children. Gourmet dining, many choices. Seafood or steak? Greek or Thai? How about a taste of everything? Each dessert is a delicious and colorful piece of art. Kevin makes funny faces as we offer him chocolate eclair, just until it touches his lips. He now looks like a little bird asking for more. We walk to the theater where children sing and dance to an attentive audience. As Kevin's bedtime approaches, we stop by the Baby Corner to prepare his bottle on our way to our room. Let's sleep, a new day awaits.

Tuesday morning, birds singing everywhere. With Kevin and Claudia still asleep, I put my running shoes and go out to exercise - a good way to know the village and burn some calories. After a stop for some weight training at the fitness center, I go back to the room and meet my family for breakfast. We go to the beach and spend some time by the children's swimming pool. We have lunch at the Hispaniola restaurant and contemplate the magnificent view. This afternoon I'll go sailing!

This place is every sailor's delight. Sailboats and windsurf equipment waiting for you to glide over a blue, crystal-clear lagoon. It is not too windy today, which is fine; I need to brush up my sailing anyway. The GOs tell me it's supposed to be windier the next few days and I sign-up for a sailing regatta scheduled for Thursday. Even though I am more into cruising than racing, a regatta is a great way to mingle with other fellow sailors.

With all the greatness of traveling as a family, mom and dad also need some time for themselves. So we drop Kevin at the pajama club and go on a date that includes dinner, cocktails and a dance party at the Celeste Beach Bar under the moon and stars.

The following days are a sequence of good moments. Kevin makes new friends at Baby Club Med. Claudia and I go sailing together. We have lunch at the beach and take naps by the pool. A band plays live music at the bar. We learn a few French words. We sit by the shore and watch pelicans fishing. Rain pours and we run for cover with Kevin. My windsurfing skills keep improving. It is our last night in Punta Cana and we start packing.

It is Monday again. As we have lunch and get ready to leave to the airport, a breeze turns into a fairly consistent wind. We need to leave in an hour and a half. I kindly ask Claudia to stay with Kevin as I sprint to the beach for some farewell windsurfing. By far, the best sailing ever. I return the equipment, grab a Piña Colada at the bar and say goodbye to some GOs. There's enough time for a quick shower and we need to get on a taxi to the airport.

We are now on an airplane heading home. As Kevin sleeps, Claudia and I hug each other thankful for the memorable trip and start looking forward for our next Club Med getaway.